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Monday, September 28, 2015

Colourpop Cosmetics has been gaining popularity in the beauty community recently with their affordable yet quality makeup products.

I was introduced to this brand by my BFF, Jill of Siren7, when she sent me a couple of their lip products (September Haul Beauty & Random). I was amazed by the quality of the lippies that I decided to purchase more for myself in fall and winter appropriate shades.

Purchasing 5 of their Lippie Stix and 2 of their Ultra Matte Lip, I got ready for a swatchfest.

Lippie Stix

Lipsticks in a thick pencil tube that makes it easier for quick and precise application. It contains Vitamin E, Mango, Avocado & Shea Butter. It runs smooth on the lips, and the mattes and satin finishes lasts for about 5 hours of wear and longer for darker shades. Matte finish Lippie Stix are comfortable on the lips and isn't drying. Satin finish Lippie Stix are similar to other satin finish lipsticks on the market but wears longer than most I've tried. They also have sheer (pearlized), glossy and ultra glossy finish shades but since I'm not one to use those kind of lippies I didn't purchase them so I cannot attest to their wear.

Poison

Described as a deep brown red matte, it appears as a true red shade in my lips.

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Blood

A deep burgundy red matte, that is very similar to Poison on my lips.

A comparison swatch of Blood and Poison. Blood has a blue undertone and Poison is warmer and more of a true red.

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Grunge

A cool tone plum brown matte that appears darker on the tube and when swatch on the skin but appears a darker nude shade on my lips.

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Frida

A mid tone nude pink satin finish that is true to its description.

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Pinch

A light pinky beige matte that is as described as well.

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Ultra Matte Lip

They are basically liquid lipsticks that are highly pigmented and extra long wearing. They last through eating and drinking so touch ups are barely necessary. It is recommended to do the following steps when wearing this lippie: 1 make sure lips are bare and dry (exfoliate!), 2 apply complimentary lip pencil for precise application, 3 apply Ultra Matte Lip.

You can apply the Ultra Matte Lip directly on your bare lips without lip pencil but I find that one coat application tend to have uneven lip color application. Since this dries matte and when I say matte, extremely matte, applying a lot of coats to even out the color will make your lips extremely dry and it will be prone to flaking off. I suggest applying a lipstick or lip pencil of a similar color underneath and apply just one coat of the Ultra Matte Lip on top of the lip liner or lipstick so it will be more comfortable on the lips and prevent flaking. Other than that, this lip product is extremely long wearing. If you do apply it on bare lips, apply only one coat and blend out with your fingers before it dries to have an even color application without worry of flaking or extreme lip dryness.

Avenue

A deep yellow red that is a great bright red lippie. I find that lighter shades of the Ultra Matte Lip is better to apply on bare lips. One coat applies evenly.

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LAX

A blackened red that is vampy and a perfect fall/winter lip color. It is by far the darkest lip shade I ever own and I've been wearing this one the most with Blood or Poison underneath. Any dark red, plum or brown lip shade underneath would be a great pair with this.

The Lippie Stix retails for $5 and the Ultra Matte Lip retails for $6. They are quite affordable and they truly compare to higher end, luxury brands with similar formulas. I'm labeling this post as Part 1 since I would definitely purchase more of these soon and try their lip pencils too. Most, if not all of their Lippie Stix have complimentary Lippie Pencils for even more precise application.

Hope you enjoyed reading this haul and swatch fest! Shop Colourpop and tell me what you think about their products!

Friday, September 18, 2015

One of the best and trendy Korean makeup and beauty brand is Tony Moly and if I am not mistaken, it was about a year ago that they have opened a small store in Koreatown NYC. I was very excited about the shop back then and I visited it every time I'm around the area but I never actually purchased anything from the store, I just window shop.

I must admit that retail prices in store in comparison to what you can buy from eBay or online has a difference of about $1-3 and since I'm a cheapo, I'd rather get my Tony Moly and other Korean beauty items online rather than pay a couple of bucks extra in a store not including tax.

I can't exactly remember when but it was, but probably a month or two ago or maybe even three, that the Tony Moly store has closed down and moved to bigger location only down the road. And boy, was I dying to go into the store and explore. I would always pass by the store in the early hours of Monday mornings as I make my way to work but obviously the store would still be closed and everytime I would try and get in at other times, it would be packed. I never really got the chance to go in until last Friday afternoon and I was a bit overwhelmed by what's inside.

They were quite busy that afternoon and ladies (and even men) of different races were browsing through all the amazing items. Their old store didn't hold a candle to this new one where people just constantly enter through the door. Their location is quite strategic too since the store opens up to a Kpop store right beside it so Kpop enthusiasts head over to both stores in one visit.

Both sides are flanked with skin care products and right in the middle are makeup items. Once you step in, on the right side is a lash and brow lounge and all the way inside past the register is a row of vanities where I was informed they do hair and makeup based on appointments.

Both sides are flanked with skin care products and right in the middle are makeup items. Once you step in, on the right side is a lash and brow lounge and all the way inside past the register is a row of vanities where I was informed they do hair and makeup based on appointments.

Tony Moly beauty products range in prices and they can be affordable and pricey. Most of the affordable products are their sheet masks, packs, lotions and makeup. The more expensive items as I've seen on my short visit are the skin care sets that have the more unusual ingredients (gold, syn-ake, bio-cell, hydrogel, snail, placenta, etc.)

You'll be drawn to every item in the store and you definitely would want to try and purchase everything (as long as you can afford)! I just picked up a couple of items since I really went inside to browse but I got sucked in by all the goodies.

A repurchase! This is one of my favorite massage creams and apparently one of their best sellers too since I took home the last one on the shelf and the staff were still restocking a lot of items that day.

Easy Touch Gel Liner in 02 Brown

Visit Tony Moly on 35 W 32nd Street, between 5th and 6th Ave. They are always quite busy but hopefully any of you visit you will catch them in a sight down time so that it's not too crowded and you can spend your time just going over all they have. Their staff is friendly and they would willingly answer all your questions and give you recommendations.

There's still a lot more I haven't tackled when I visited that store. They have a second floor which I'm not sure if they use it for storage or it might be another exciting area. The salon area I haven't really quite explored since the staff was opening boxes of products to restock while I was there. I'm hoping that on my next visit I would be able to take my time and just shop around. I saw a couple of items that I would surely purchase on my return.

I hope you enjoyed this store review and mini haul, you can check out Tony Moly US in store and online. If you want a Kpop Star makeover call in to book your appointment!

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

This review is pretty overdue. I have received these lenses from Klenspop awhile back in May and that's when I got pretty busy so I have taken stock photos and have worn them multiple times already but I haven't gotten around to reviewing it.

This is probably the prettiest circle lens I've ever had the pleasure of trying and reviewing. The color is subtle but the design makes your eyes look like they're twinkling and are like diamonds.

These lenses has a diameter of 14.0 mm which is quite the regular size for a circle lens but these particular lens seems bigger than other lenses that are of the same size. The base curve is 8.6 mm and the water content is 38%.

One thing I've found out about this particular lens is that it is only meant to be used for a 6 month period whereas most of the lenses I was accustomed to try and use was good to be used for a year. As I said at the start of this post, I have received this around May and I have been using it on and off for around 3 and a half months and I was surprised when these lenses unexpectedly ripped. I was very sad about that because I really love the depth and definition it gives to the eyes. Well, I can't do anything about it now, but I feel like I have to address this issue in the review. I have tried tons of circle lenses over the years and this is probably the only lens I've tried that ripped in that short amount of time and I take proper care of my circle lenses. It may be the fact that it is only meant to be used for a 6 month period that it's life for wear is also short.

Moving away from that sad topic, these lenses are quite comfortable. I never had a problem with their actual wear and I could take wearing it on my eyes for a good 9 hours without any discomfort or drying.

I'm very pleased on how they look on me. I would always get compliments whenever I used them and my boyfriend would comment on how my eyes look bright and like diamonds.

Comfort: ♥♥♥♥/5

Design:♥♥♥♥♥/5

Enlargement:♥♥♥♥♥/5

Above are my final thoughts on these lenses but I'm just really disappointed about the fact that I can't enjoy them anymore because they are gone. This is something to take note of when you buy this lens.

What do you think about the NEO Vision Ruby Queen Circle Lens? Have you ever tried them? If you have, please leave your thoughts about it down in the comment box and we could chat about it. ^^ See you on my next post!

*This product was sent to me for review but as always, my reviews are honest and based on my own opinions and experience.